To think this is subtle racism?

[breezeonkeys]

Colleagues have made a few remarks in recent times that have made me feel quite uncomfortable. Could anyone clarify if I'm being a snowflake or is this really quite racist?

Things such as "She's a cheeky bitch, she only has to look at the sun and she's black"

"If you went on a sunbed, would you go black if you did enough minutes?"

"You look Pakistani in the Summer"

And most recently, within earshot of me, someone spoke to another colleague and said "I think naturally dark olive people look like they need a good wash!" The disclaimer being that I showed twice a day, everyday, it's not a subtle hint for me to wash

AIBU to say there's a sort of racist tone here? Or are they just extremely rude? They do it all with a smile which makes it even more confusing. DH has suggested coming back to them with digs like "At least I don't turn pink like a pig Sharon" but I can't bring myself to say any such thing. I just smile and nod, never commenting. Husband is as white as they come.

I'm not sure it could even be classed as a 'race' issue. My background is Hispanic, so technically white although I've never felt 'white white' if that makes any sense.

I've had this and and off (subtly, nothing constant or extreme), since childhood. It feels like there's some sort of dug there occasionally and I'm not 'one of them' 100%. My mum grew up in the EastEnd so I'm very much an English woman, but home-life was very 'non English'.

I apologise if this post offends anyone. I know some people face very real race issues daily.

I wouldn’t say it was subtle really. Why are these people fixated on your skin tone anyway? Are they generally quite ignorant people?

Subtle? Hardly.

Sam I have no idea what their issue is. They seem to like repeating "it's just bants" a lot after saying inappropriate stuff in general, although ironically never after being a bit towards me.

It's all quite childish really. It's a corporate office.

I would say this is racism. Hideous behaviour. I’m sorry you are having to deal with this.
You should log this with your HR.

It’s not subtle racism

It’s blatant racism

Yes it’s bloody racist, it’s not banter; it’s nasty and ignorant.

Thank you for the clarification. I wasn't aware it was definite and blatant racism.

I'll be complaining to HR on Monday, they're really getting on my tits with it all. I feel so bloody awkward when they do and and like I can take a 'joke'. But there is no joke to take

they are singling out a certain skin colour and making disparaging remarks so yes I would say racist and worth a chat with HR

There's nothing remotely subtle about those comments. I'm glad you are going to complain.

Do you actually tan really quickly? I have heard a lot of comments re completely changing skin tone (usually self directed though). Have occasionally discussed my own magically colour changing skin (I really do tan extremely - I go from very pale to downright medium dark skin tone at the drop of a hat). The washing thing though does sound racist with no plausible explanation.

Boggles I'm tan all year round, with just a very very dark tan in the Summer

The only one that is insulting is the "needs a good wash" comment.

I used to love getting a tan. So using the term "black" isn't about race, when talking about tanning.

"you look Pakistani" I'm not sure about. My middle DD gets mistaken for anything between Italian to Muslim Countries of origin. I've seen English people described as looking Polish, or Irish etc.

My SIL looks like a Romany Gypsy over summer.

It depends on how much banter between them is happening.

Are you from the UK etc? Perhaps they need to curtail the banter around colleagues who don't get it.

It's not subtle racism. It's overt racism.

This is hands down racist.

They seem to like repeating "it's just bants"

Do people ever say this if they've not been either racist, sexist, homophobic etc?

Are the 4 comments all from the same person OP?

"She's a cheeky bitch, she only has to look at the sun and she's black"
I am very very white, I tan like a pink pig, my aunt tans the most beautiful olive-brown after a day in the sun and gets comments like this all the time. I would let this one go. (I have been asked if all my freckles merged together would I have a tan, did I ever think of using a melanin supplement).

The 'good wash' comment is really, really bad though. That is unequivocally racist and that is the one I would focus on.

Yes its racism. I'm pleasantly surprised that only one poster has minimised it so far.

Kylie, I think it’s 2.

What does the “cheeky bitch” thing mean?

Ponola - that is so,e serious minimising going on!

While you may consider yourself white OP, these women clearly do not. They are being overtly racist, so I’m glad you’ve decided to take it to HR.
All the best!

Exactly, iClouds.

Those comments are well out of order. And racist. I'm shocked at your colleagues' ignorance tbh, I'm assuming a low level of education ?

“Those comments are well out of order. And racist. I'm shocked at your colleagues' ignorance tbh, I'm assuming a low level of education ?”

OH. MY. GOD.

OP seriously how are you asking this?
Of course this is out of line.
You must know this. I hope that raising this goes okay.